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Hydrocodone withdrawal, will Xanax help?

I was prescribed hydocodone for pain early last year, but then just started taking it regularly for the past 10 months.  Got up from 1 to 3 to 10 pills a day;(5/500 to 10/325) Sometimes less as I tried to taper down.  

I hated to take them, but if I didn't my body would hurt. So I tried to cut them off last week cold turkey.  My last dose was Thursday-6 pills of 10/325. I felt awful that night, I couldn't get any sleep, leg cramps, nausea, etc.  I took 20 mg, Saturday, then 30 mg Sunday.  Then 15 mgs Monday morning. That night was hell again, and so was Tuesday. I thought I was going to die.  Finally I took 15 mg yesterday after work. I am able to get Xanax, but will this help me get over this? I need to sleep and get to work. I don't know what to do about the leg cramps. I have tried to find a doctor to help, but am unable to get an appointment until the end of the month. So what helps the withdrawal?

side note: i take paxil, i still have anxiety and i found that hydrocodone would calm me down without making me sleepy. i just feel to young to ruin my body. there has to be an alternative.
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Avatar universal
Being a morphine addict for years after a car accident was Hell I sought the help of a Doctor that treated me with suboxone. Not only did it help with the withdrawals but also with the chronic pain. I took it for a year until it stopped working for my pain so I sought the help of a pain Doctor who put me on Hydromorphone. Here is my suggestion. 1. give your narcotics to someone you trust and have them give you your daily doses as I did. This helps you keep in control and not take more than needed. Most of all be honest with yourself and admit that you have an addiction problem. Then and only then can you start your recovery.  
Helpful - 0
9880688 tn?1414115647
This is a very old thread hun.  I truly hope you come back and read this.  Please go to the top of the page and click the Post A New Question button.  Our MH family is full of love, support and no judgment.  We are here to help as much as you will allow us to.  Please come back and post a new thread okay?

Hugz
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
First I'd like to say that my heart weeps for all of us. I'm an addict oxys, hydros whatever has codeine in it. It saddens me that Doctors are allowed to do this to young people (30) and younger. I know people in their 20's that have been prescribed 180 20 mg. oxys and it ruins their life. Realistically they do very little for pain in the first place. They are designed to be taken for a week at most. Not years. 10 years ago it was determined that it was better to take pain pills then to suffer. It was proven to extend your life. That was meant for older people that did not have a chance for recovery. Not a 23 year old with a bad back. Doctors get a payback for prescriptions from drug companies. So they get rich poisoning our young people. They are the ones that need to e accountable. The real evil here is not the pills, ut the Doctors writing these ridiculous prescriptions.    
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Avatar universal
of course you will…….i totally understand what you are going through…you must replace those bad habits with positive ones….like going to the gym……volunteer…become addicted to something that is good for you and fun! include other people , like new friends …think of something you've always wanted to do but never followed through…..it will create a new you and you can take magnesium ….it works on nerves and pain and detox….majority of ppl are deficient…..think positively- have fun!!!!!!
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Avatar universal
I'm a recovering Acholoic now for 19 months but can't kick the opiate addiction. I found a couple things that work with detoxing from opiates. One is Ultrams....and Xanax. Now I do feel bad sharing this info... But detoxing is the worst.

Question: why is it that I was able to beat alcohol but not these damn opiates? I know one reason for sure... I deal with a lot of pain in different parts in my body and I hate to hurt. I'm also a waitress by choice and work SOME long hours and physically can not make it through the day with out opiates.  I also supper from depression. Whith all my shortcomings I have done my own leg work to change my choices more positive. I told my family doctor that I'm a recovering Acholoic and suffer from PTSD. I asked him to cut me back from my opiates but did not tell him I was addicted to them. I still have my reserve attitude. I so want to be done with pain pills. It does control my life for way to long. I've done rehab twice. I really did learn a lot but still living deviously. Will I ever over come this negative control?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was addicated to Vicodin for 2 years.. i finally put myself in a detox program, they medically detox you for 5 days with suboxone.. it completly removes all opiate withdrawls,,, it was the closest thing to a miracle that ive seen.. i would not use it as a maintainance medication though.. you can become addicated to suboxone and subtex. i honestly detoxed with suboxone for 5 days, left detox and jumped off suboxone cold turey with no problem. its great for detoxing, but it is a opiate.. its retarded to stop using vicodin, oxys, or herion just to replace it with another opiate. detox on suboxone and give it up -
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I sympathize with you, as I am in a similar situation.  I have had 14 knee surgeries, including a total knee replacement and my knee hurts more than ever.  I have scar tissue stuck in my joint and have no range of motion.  I have run out before my refill date and feel like I am dying.  Not only with the withdrawal pain killing me - my knee hurts so bad I can't stand it.
If anyone has had this situation please help us
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello,
I have been on Narco for 3 yeas and really need it for 6 ruptured discs in my neck and back.  The problem I am having is that the recommended dose doesn't work any longer so I have to take more and then my script runs out.  I am suffering with withdrawals at the moment and it is horrible and needles to say I can barely walk because my back hurts very badly.  Any suggestions?
Thanks,
KM
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes i want to give you an alternative to everything that everyone has mentioned here. Actually 2 things. First one could be illegal if you dont live in a Medical Marijuana state or a state that has decriminalized personal small ammount possesion of it.

Marijuana has been proven to be very effective in helping with opiate withdrawl syndrome. it reduces pain that you get from flu like symptoms and will definetly stop the insomnia. Muscle cramps and spasms are a condition of MS and Marijuana ids very effective in MS patients. Marijuana is now been shown that it may actually interact with the Opiod receptors in the brain. so this could be another reason it rids of opiate withdrawl syndrome symptoms.

Second altrernative is a tree found in south east asia. Its called kratom. its an all natural safe and been proven effective in Indonesia/Thailand for opium detox/withdrawl. It is a mild opiate that acts on the mu opiod receptors and helps with opiate withdrawls. It has a cieling meaning you can not over dose on this opiate as you can other traditional medical opiates. Although you can get nausea with it so ginger root is recommended with its use. But as always speak with your doctor before starting any supplement medications

Although kratom is an opiate its legal around the globe and has been shown safe to use as an alternative. Since it however still provides some opiate effects it can become a habit as well so i advise to use it respectfully to help with the withdrawls and detox off the lortab.

Wish you the best of luck. If all else fails get you some imodium ad and some nyquil and sleep for 2-3 days :) you will have a few weeks of recovery feeling like crap but hey once you get over the hump you will feel much better.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have to admit, I haven't read all the posts on this thread.  I'm tired and my eyes hurt.  But I do think I have some advice that would be helpful.  In my experience with Norco early on and with methadone later, and with family members on Xanax.  Norco is the easiest to get over!  Don't get on anything else.  Stick it out!  It only takes about a month to get over the hydrocodonne withdrawals.  Everything else takes much longer!  If you are truly serious about ending the use of opiates, stop at hydrocodone!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My name is kyle and I am an addict. I have tried all things, medicine, religion, and psychiatry. as far as your job goes be honest, your family be honest, your doctors be honest. there is no cure for addiction and only you can make that admission. honesty can be one of the most amazing tools for recovery. I will tell you that the withdrawal for suboxone is much worse then the pills. the only answer that I have found as well as countless others is in the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous. please check into a detox facility. do not call them! show up and be desperate, be stern, tell them you have no choice. there is no shame in saving your life.there is hope for anyone with the desire to stop using. good luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am going threw horrible withdrawals from methadone right now. you will want to die but you won't die from withdrawals. I was at 180mg of liquid methadone every day for the past 4 years. I quit taking it a little under a month ago and I still feel like I can't do it sometimes. I called my doctor today and he prescribed me Xanax. Still waiting for them to get here though.

When I first quit. he prescribed me Clonidine and Trazadone. they helped for the first couple weeks but they are starting to wear off. The Clonidine helped with the restless leg syndrome and the Trazadone helps you sleep.

The first 3-8 days were the hardest. but after you make it past that, It's all down hill from there. Quitting any kind of opiet is deff. doable. Just hang in there, drink lots of water and you'll make it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am currently in the process of quitting daily recreational oxycodone use and have had alot of restless leg problems and sleep problems. sleep has been impossible the whole time i have been tapering my narcotic doses which just ended. I have to be miserable all day detoxing and save my daily amount of oxy (just enough to fall asleep with 5 - 7.5mg) for just before bed otherwise toss and turn untill 8am when my alarm clock goes off.  I asked a family member who is a RN what they give during DT's at the hospital and she said benzo's (but in a much more detailed explanation). So i have stopped all narcotic use and have been taking xanax at 1mg doses just before bed and HAVE been able to fall asleep. however, i wake up drowsy. In conclusion, xanax has helped with some WD effects, mainly sleep for me but dont expect it to help with the miserable physical WD feelings you are going through. The best advice i can give is to not take these pain pills to begin with... I cant think of many worse mistakes i have made in my life worse than addicting myself to pain meds.  No matter how good they make you feel and believe me i know, they are not worth it.  -mike age30
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well i was addict for over 3 years on oxy devil pill, everyone stay away from this one.  I decided to stop as my life was going no where i spent 1000's of money on it and it was time to stop.  I know how everyone is talking about subs (soboxene) how good it is but i must tell you be careful, it DOES help dont get me wrong but its just as addictive.
I was able to get about 20 subs and temperate down slowly where to the point i was only taking 1mg 1/4 of the pill every morning for a 2 weeks straight.  After that i decided to stop that as well.  To my huge surprise i though i wont have any WD, big mistake.  I did, but i must say i tried stopping heroin (oxy's blues) what ever you call them cold turkey and that was hell, i couldnt take it.  After stopping my subs treatment my first 24-48 hours was not as bad as on heroin but trust me it wasnt pleasant.  My first day was hell, had to be in bathroom every 5 minutes and for that i would advise you to buy Imodium helps greatly. As for not being able to sleep which i did go through i was able to get some xanax,   it helped very much so but then again like with anything you only use it if u must.  All of these crapy drugs are bad and everyone should stay away from them.  It really its not that bad you can do it.  Its more in your head and dont freak out about people telling you its impossible.  Just take few days off drink lots of fluids, try to eat as much as you can and find some subs if you must.
Life is so much better sober, f*ck drugs
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If your looking for a miracle pill..YOu wont find it...

No matter how you cut it..its hard to come off pills and they play a HUGE toll on your body............So...in saying that, yes there are things you can do..

Green teas help with taking out toxians
Some kind of sleep aide...as you can have restless sleeps
Some kind of pill that iwll help with Restless leg syndrom, which helps but doesnt take everythign away
Changin the way you eat...how much water and fruit juices you drink

You can crave sugar like crazy, adn I would highly suggest you dont give into the cravings as I honestly believe it affects your state of mind nad wds..........but thats just me....

There is a Thomas REciepe that has a bunch of information that is truely helpful..

YOu can decide to taper or go c.t...or try Sub....it honestly up to you and what you do in your daily life...that is honestly the deciding factor..at least it was for me

Im sorry Im so breif......but I just wanted to say welcome and give you a bit of information

I hope htis helps until someone else comes around or when I get back...if I dont see the Thomas Reciepe up I will post it when I have a chance

So hang in there..and post when you need to

Love
C
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Xanax does help a lot BUT it is highly addictive.  The withdrawals from Xanax are also dangerous if you do get addicted.  Seizures, etc.  So you have to be very careful with Xanax if you do take it.  Make sure if you stop taking Xanax or want to off of it to talk to your Doc on how quickly you should taper.

All my best,

Shelby
Helpful - 0
195648 tn?1231812118
I know that many times people are trying to help when they mention suboxone or subtex but it's not the end all be all way to end addiction.  I am not trying to stir up controversy, simply stating an opinion based on much of what I've red here.
It needs to be reserached carefully and you need to talk to a professional about it before you deicde you want to go that route.  Also, please read people's stories about it on here.  It should be used as a detox NOT a maintenance drug but because it works much in the same way as opiates do without giving that "high", it has addiction qualities.  Ity's actually an opiate blocker I believe.  You might want to talk to FLaddict.  She just started her treatment on it a ffew days ago.  I think she's doing quite well. Regardless, don't go on it or into it lightly.
I just think that unless you fix the issues inside of yourself and find out why it is that you're using and or abusing your meds, you will never truly be clean and simply replacing one drug for another is not always the snawer.
I would like to tell this person to talk to a dr, go over all of your options and perhaps get into a program, maybe go into counseling or continue to post here.  There are lots of great people who have been through suboxone, methadone, cold turkey and tapering, who can help you greatly.
You don't necessarily have to go to a dr, but it wil lmake detoxing easier.  It's hard no matter what you choose but it IS do-able and you CAN do it if you really want it.  The rost of the physical withdrawal symptoms are usually gone or at least well on their way of getting better within 72 hours.  The mental part (PAWS post accute withdrawal syndrome) lasts a little longer which is why you need to fix other things otherwise a relapse is likely.
I wish you luck and I will keep you in my prayers!!
Helpful - 0
214607 tn?1287677559
The only other alternative is to seek an outpatient Detox facility. You will continue to experience withdrawal until you stop all intake of the pills. The xanax will help u a little, but it too can be addictive so be careful. There are ways to end your addiction with help. Look up Suboxone Doctors in your area, or Naltrexone Doctors. Google it and call and talk to the nurse..

Good luck and stick to this forum, it will help you...

Lisa
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